In-Cab 5th Wheel Release.... DANGEROUS?

Hershey's in Palmyra, PA has a drive-thru check in with bank-style vacuum tubes for paperwork, but that means rolling down a window. Just have the shipper email it so you dont have to touch it at all, and let us drop the trlrs and have yard dogs do the docking, auto-backing is gonna be too complicated, and we wouldn't want to have to get out of the bunk for that.

 

you have to set the trl brakes then push backeard in reverse to get any psi off the jaw. then they work just fine.

in my kw you have to have trl amd trk brakes set, turn on an electric switch then pull on a knob for the sir switch. i have seen co spec shakers with the air relese and they lack that extra switch which is stupid but still it should not work without the brakes set. the reason it shot out is because you had psi.on the jaws and as the air slowely bled out from dropping the landing gear it got to apoint where it could release.
the warnong stick is there to cover their butt. the safety can be bypassed or whatever its not there because it works when your driving down the road. this is nothing more then an air assist ram on the release arm. it cant drop the trl unless there was driver error or fifth wheel failure. i would bet money if you saw a trl dropped.it was because the guy didnt check his jaws or high hooked it and just blamed it onn the air realease because he is a dumb ###

 

you assume alot that i didn't say... yes i had it on the last 8 trucks and the only time i have had to pull the handle is 3 X when a air hose was broken, 2nd did i ever say i didn't check the 5 wheel AFTER unhooking with or without the air release it requiers you to get out AFTER unhooking. and i always check the 5 wheel and grease when needed...

i call bs the reason is that 1st the brakes MUST BE SET to supply air to the release and 2nd the volvo switch has a 2nd safety interlock built into it the requires 1 finger to push down on a slide to release the switch and a 2nd finger to flip the switch down SEE POTO
note in the poto the slide release is built into the top of the switch. so it takes 2 fingers to release it.... can't happen by mistake

 

No you CAN NOT disconnect while in motion or without brakes set. Get your facts right before you spew off about something not being safe. Sure you can engage the release switch but nothing will happen.

 

on kenworths with this option there are 2 levers for the release one springs back if not held down
likey there was too much pressure on the pin to release rocking truck relieves that
I will continue to use this system and delight in my automatic
am still a REAL TRUCK DRIVER
was driving 2 stick quad boxes before most of you were around

 

Your to late,it is allready being sold.
http://jic.jost-world.com/static/upload/pdf/FLY/JOST_KKS-Flyer_IAA08_e_Web.pdf

 

To the OP:
You say you cranck the handle till you hear the drives blow off air,correct?
So there is a little bit off light showing between the 5th wheel and the trailer?

 

Well, it's sounds like a good thing to have, I mean who wants to burn any more calories then necessary, and getting short on breath when you have to bend over is no fun, not to mention your hands will get all icky... After all that extra effort you'd need a nap..